SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Junior CJ Chirichigno went 2-for-3 with a double and a run, but the Oregon State softball team was defeated by Utah 8-2 Friday evening in Salt Lake City.

Senior Isabelle Batayola finished with a double and a run, while classmate Bailee Niehus recorded a single and an RBI. Freshman Kiki Pepi went 1-for-2 in the contest, and tallied her first career RBI. Senior Hannah Bouska, junior Ya Garcia and Kori Nishitomi recorded one hit apiece.

The Utes (13-15, 2-7 Pac-12) jumped out to an early lead with two runs in the first inning, but the Beavers (12-19, 2-6) responded by cutting the lead in half during the next frame. Chirichigno started things off with a double, before Pepi singled to left to bring her home. Utah put a runner on first in the second inning, but Garcia made a sprawling play on a grounder, before hustling to second base for the second out of the frame. Garcia then made another play on a grounder to end the inning.

Utah proceeded to add three more runs in the third and another three in the fourth to stretch the edge to seven. The Beavers attempted to rally with two out in the bottom of the seventh. Batayola kept the game alive with a double, and Niehus singled to bring her home. Nishitomi singled to put runners on first and second, but the Beavers could not bring them home, as the Utes took the six-run victory.

The Beavers continue their series with the Utes tomorrow with another 5 p.m. PT start on Pac-12 Networks.